President Joe Biden said on Friday that he was deeply troubled by reports of Kellogg's plan to permanently replace plant workers as the union haggles for a new contract involving 1,400 employees.
Biden said in a statement that he is deeply troubled by reports of Kellogg's plans to permanently replace striking workers from Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International. Collective bargaining is an essential tool to protect the rights of workers that should be free from threats and intimidation from employers. He said that permanently replacing striking workers is an existential attack on the union and its members' jobs and livelihoods. Such action undermines the critical role of collective bargaining in providing workers a voice and the opportunity to improve their lives while contributing fully to their employer's success. A wave of workers across the country have taken to picket lines this year in various industries to argue for better pay, safer working conditions and paid time off. Biden supports workers' right to unionize and strike but also says it is up to the companies and workers to negotiate a deal.
Since October 5th, workers with Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union have been on strike at Kellogg's factories in Battle Creek, Michigan, Omaha, Nebraska, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Memphis, Tennessee.
A five-year contract offer that would have provided 3 percent raises, among other benefits, was rejected by workers earlier this week. The union argued that the company's two-tiered system of wages lessens the benefits of newer workers at plants and provides them little opportunity to move up.
The members have spoken. The union said on Tuesday that the strike continues. The International Union will continue to provide full support to our striking Kellogg s members. A representative of the union was contacted by NBC for comment.
In a statement earlier this week, Kellogg said it will move forward with its plan to replace the striking workers to keep plants operating. A company spokesman told NBC News on Friday that the company is still willing to negotiate.
We are ready, willing and able to negotiate with the union, we have been from the beginning and continue to be. We agree that this needs to be solved at the bargaining table. In an email, Kris Bahner said that Kellogg's goal was to reach a fair agreement for our people.